Search me, O God, and know my heart:
try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way
in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Ps 139:23-24 KJV
fearfully and wonderfully made
I
praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your
works are wonderful,
I
know that full well.
My
frame was not hidden from You
when
I was made in the secret place.
When
I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your
eyes saw my unformed body.
All
the days ordained for me
were
written in Your book
before
one of them came to be.
Psalm
139:14-16 NIV
The Words of The Lord are flawless
And
the Words of The Lord are flawless,
like
silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified
seven times.
Ps 12:6 NIV
The Lord is near
The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
to all who call on Him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;
He hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love Him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.
Ps 145:18-20 NIV
His miraculous power
And
when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against
unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner
of disease.
Matthew
10:1 KJV
THE BOOK OF DANIEL Part 3
THE BOOK OF DANIEL
Part
3
Nebuchadnezzar
who though was born and raised in idolatry, recognized that Daniel had the
Presence of a greater Spirit residing in him—a Spirit that is Holy, beyond the
frailty of men.
Nebuchadnezzar
himself said:
Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream (He
is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy
gods is in him).
Dan 4:8 NIV
The
Holy Spirit is “THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLY GOD.” Besides The Lord, there is no God
(see Deut 4:35). Nebuchadnezzar made an indefinite reference to Him.
Christ
is “the Great Stone” which will crush the kingdoms of this world (see chapters
2:34, 35, 44). He is “The Son of Man” Who is given dominion by “The Ancient Of
Days” in chapter 7 verses 13 and 14; and in chapter 9 verses 25 and 26, He is
the coming Messiah Who will be “cut off”.
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the
commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall
be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again,
and the wall, even in troublous times.
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but
not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the
city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the
end of the war desolations are determined.
Dan 9:25-26 KJV
“The
Anointed One”—Christ, was “cut off” [crucified] “having nothing” [no one defending
Him]. He was ‘cut off from the land of the living’ (Isa. 53:8). He died to take
away the ceremonial law, quite to abolish that law of commandments, and to
vacate the obligation of it. But the Jews would not be persuaded to quit it;
still they keep up with more zeal than ever; they would hear no talk of parting
with it; they stoned Stephen (the first Christian martyr) for saying that Jesus
would change the customs which Moses delivered them (Acts 6:14); so that there
was no way to abolish the Mosaic but by destroying the temple, and the holy
city, and the Levitical priesthood, and that whole nation which so incurably
doted on them.
Seventy
Weeks of years equals to 490 years. This was decreed upon Israel and upon the holy
city [Jerusalem], to finish and put an end to transgression, to seal up the full
measure of sin, to purge away and make reconciliation for sin, to bring in
everlasting Righteousness (permanent moral and spiritual rectitude in every
area and relation) to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Holy of
Holies.
Yet it pleased The Lord to bruise him; He hath put him to grief:
when Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see His Seed, He
shall prolong his days, and the Pleasure of The Lord shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:
by his knowledge shall My Righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear
their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he
shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul
unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of
many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isa 53:10-12 KJV
The
life of “The Messiah” was an offering for sin [guilt offering] —He has risen from
the dead. First, He is “The Seed of God”—“The Seed of The Word” in John 1:1,
and “The Seed of Abraham” in Genesis, as we read. He [Christ The Anointed One] shall
also see His spiritual offspring.
After
the suffering of His soul, as He bore the sins of the world, He embraced “the
Light of Life and was satisfied, and He is “The Light Of Life” (Psa. 56:13) by
Whom The Father justified many—this is “the Will of God”—the Will of The Lord
prospers in His hand, and He has been anointed with “The Oil of Joy.”
Jesus
disclosed to His disciples that His time had come for everything written about
Him by the prophets to come true (see Luke 22:37).
“The
Anointed One”—“The Messiah” is “the Prince,” “the Ruler” in Daniel 9:25.
Subjects
and loyalists [people] of a ruler [prince] who will come will destroy the city
[Jerusalem] and the sanctuary (Dan.9:26). It is here foretold that the people of the
prince that shall come shall be the instruments of this destruction. This ruler
mentioned here is “the antichrist.” But, “the end will come like a flood”—a
deluge of destruction.
Jeremiah
29 is “a letter” to the exiles in Babylon. You should read the content of that
“letter.”
God
promised deliverance to His people out of captivity, and restoration to the
Land in Jeremiah 30 and 31.
By
the edict of Cyrus mentioned in Ezra 1:1, the people of Israel were restored to
their land. God appointed him to build a temple for Him in Jerusalem in Judah.
But,
this prophesied destruction of Jerusalem, and of the Jewish nation, in Daniel
9, will be in a ‘near-future’ perilous time.
Christ
made a reference to this prophecy by Daniel, in Matthew 24:15-16.
"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the
abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel — let
the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
NIV
This
is well explained in Luke 21:20-24
"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you
will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to
the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not
enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that
has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and
nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against
this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all
the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of
the Gentiles are fulfilled.
NIV
It
is a desolation determined, and it will be accomplished to the utmost.
Verse
27 of Daniel chapter 9 says:
He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the
middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a
wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation,
until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."
NIV
In
chapter 3, “The Son Of God” protected and delivered Daniel’s friends from the
fiery furnace. He was “the Fourth Man” in the fiery furnace. “The Rock Eternal”
kept them in perfect Peace. While the fury of Nebuchadnezzar’s fire burned, The
Lord quenched its power which was fashioned to destroy them. These “servants of
The Most High God” came out of the dreadful flames, unharmed, without a hair of
their heads singed; nor their robes scorched, and there was no smell of fire on
them (read vv. 19-27).
In
same chapter, we see that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon made an image of gold
that was six cubits (9 feet) broad, and they played six kinds of musical
instruments when the people were called upon to worship the image. The
Babylonians worshipped their pagan gods with “all kinds of music.”
Six
is the number connected with satan, the devil.
Belshazzar
and his lords praised the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood and stone
(5:4); six pagan gods.
The
image which Nebuchadnezzar built to be worshipped was sixty cubits (90 feet)
high v.3:1.
Number
60 is revealed to be the number that is connected with pride. It was the pride
in the heart of Nebuchadnezzar that caused him to build this image.
Number
66 is connected with “image” or “idol worship.” The image of gold in Babylon
had the height of sixty cubits, and the breadth was 6 cubits.
“…whose
height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits” (Dan 3:1KJV)
Notice
the two numbers: 60 and six are connected with the image which Nebuchadnezzar
erected to be worshipped.
He shall quicken our mortal bodies
But if The Spirit of Him that raised up
Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall
also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom
8:11 KJV
In glorious eternity
Now
we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1
Cor. 13:12 NIV
C l a s s i c H Y M N S
C l a s s i c
H Y M N S
***
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name (Diadem)
Words: Edward Perronet (last verse
added by John Rippon in 1787)
Music:
"Diadem" by James Ellor
Ps
145:3; 2 Peter 1:16; Rev 4:11
All hail the
power of Jesus' Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth
the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth
the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Let highborn
seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it, fall
Before His
face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.
Before His
face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.
Crown Him,
ye morning stars of light, Who fixed this floating ball;
Now hail the
strength of Israel's might, and crown Him Lord of all.
Now hail the
strength of Israel's might, and crown Him Lord of all.
Crown Him,
ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call;
Extol the
Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.
Extol the
Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.
Ye seed of
Israel's chosen race, ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who
saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him Who
saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him, ye
heirs of David's line, Whom David Lord did call,
The God
incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all,
The God
incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all.
Sinners, whose
love can ne'er forget the wormwood and the gall,
Go spread
your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread
your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Let every
tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall
And shout in
universal song the crowned Lord of all.
And shout in
universal song the crowned Lord of all.
O that, with
yonder sacred throng, we at His feet may fall,
Join in the
everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all,
Join in the
everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all!
C l a s s i c H Y M N S
C l a s s i c
H Y M N S
***
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name
Words: Edward Perronet (last verse
added by John Rippon in 1787)
Music:
"Coronation" by Oliver Holden
Ps
145:3; 2 Peter 1:16; Rev 4:11
All hail the
power of Jesus' Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth
the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth
the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Let highborn
seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it, fall
Before His
face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.
Before His
face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.
Crown Him,
ye morning stars of light, Who fixed this floating ball;
Now hail the
strength of Israel's might, and crown Him Lord of all.
Now hail the
strength of Israel's might, and crown Him Lord of all.
Crown Him,
ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call;
Extol the
Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.
Extol the
Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.
Ye seed of
Israel's chosen race, ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who
saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him Who
saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him, ye
heirs of David's line, Whom David Lord did call,
The God
incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all,
The God
incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all.
Sinners,
whose love can ne'er forget the wormwood and the gall,
Go spread
your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread
your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Let every
tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall
And shout in
universal song the crowned Lord of all.
And shout in
universal song the crowned Lord of all.
O that, with
yonder sacred throng, we at His feet may fall,
Join in the
everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all,
Join in the
everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all!
C l a s s i c H Y M N S
C l a s s i c
H Y M N S
***
All Glory, Laud and Honor
Words: Theodulph of Orleans;
translated to English by John M. Neale
Music:
"St. Theodulph" by Melchior Teschner; harmony by William H. Monk
John
12:13
All glory,
laud and honor,
To Thee, Redeemer,
King,
To Whom the
lips of children
Made sweet
hosannas ring.
Thou art the
King of Israel,
Thou David's
royal Son,
Who in the
Lord's Name comest,
The King and
Blessed One.
Refrain
The company
of angels
Are praising
Thee on High,
And mortal
men and all things
Created make
reply.
Refrain
The people
of the Hebrews
With palms
before Thee went;
Our prayer
and praise and anthems
Before Thee
we present.
Refrain
To Thee,
before Thy passion,
They sang
their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now
high exalted,
Our melody
we raise.
Refrain
Thou didst
accept their praises;
Accept the
prayers we bring,
Who in all
good delightest,
Thou good
and gracious King.
Refrain
May The LORD be your Refuge
May The LORD
be your Refuge in the day of trouble;
a Shelter
in the time of storm;
a Tower
in the day of great sorrow;
and your Fortress
in the time of war.
Until The Spirit be poured upon us
Until The
Spirit be poured upon us from on high,
and the wilderness be a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.
Isa 32:15 KJV
The Thoughts that I Think toward you
For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, saith The Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an
expected end.
Jer 29:11 KJV
THE BOOK OF REVELATION Part 5
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Part 5
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ
~ ~ ~
By
John, Christ sent specific messages with warnings and eternal promises to “the
seven churches.”
Message
to the Church in Ephesus
The Words of Jesus written to the Church of Ephesus
"To
the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the Words of Him Who holds the
seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I
know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot
tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but
are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured
hardships for My Name, and have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you: You have
forsaken your First Love. Remember the
height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.
If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans,
which I also hate.
He who has an ear, let him hear what The
Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat
from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.
Rev
2:1-7 NIV
The church of Ephesus, a famous church planted by
the Apostle Paul in Acts 19. The Lord started this church with about 12 men.
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the
interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them,
"Did you receive The Holy Spirit when you believed?"
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a
Holy Spirit."
So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied.
Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He
told the people to believe in the One coming after Him, that is, in
Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the Name of The Lord
Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, The Holy Spirit came on them, and
they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.
Acts 19:1-7 NIV
After this church was planted by Apostle Paul, it
was afterwards watered and governed by John, who had his residence very much
there.
Timothy was of an excellent spirit, and naturally
cared for the good state of the souls of the people, he was sole pastor and
bishop, of this church at this time.
Here we have one of those titles that were given to
Christ in His appearance to John in the chapter foregoing: “He that holds the
seven stars in His right hand, and walks in the midst of the seven golden
candlesticks, ch. 1:13,16.
This title consists of two parts :—(1.) “He that
holds the stars in His right hand.” The angels of God are under His special
care and protection. It is the honor of God that He knows the number of the
stars, and calls them each by their names. It is the honor of The Lord Jesus
Christ that His spirit-messengers, who bring His blessings to ‘the heirs of
Salvation,’ are in His hand.
Ministers of the Gospel are ministered to by the
stars in His right hand. His “stars” are instruments in His hand, and all the
good they do is done by His hand with them.
(2.) “He walks in the midst of the golden
candlesticks.” This intimates His relation to the churches. Christ is in an
intimate manner present and conversant with the churches; He knows and observes
their state; He takes pleasure only in His obedient servants; as a man does to
walk in his garden. Though Christ is in Heaven, He walks in the midst of the
churches on earth, observing what is amiss in them and what it is that they
want. This is a great encouragement to God’s people, to remain steadfast with
Him.
The Church of Ephesus forsook her "First
Love."
Christ is our "First Love."
Anyone who once knew Him, but forsakes Him, falls from
a great height.
May we all reach to the top of the mountain and
behold Him!
Church of Ephesus was known as “church of the
Apostles,” it was ‘desirable.’ Was planted by the apostle Paul in the 1st
Century.
THE BOOK OF REVELATION Part 6
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Part 6
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ
~ ~ ~
Message
to the Church in Smyrna
The Words of Jesus written to the Church of Smyrna
"To the angel of the church in Smyrna
write:
These are the Words of Him Who is the
First and the Last, Who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions
and your poverty — yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they
are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what
you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison
to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to
the point of death, and I will give you the crown of Life.
He who has an ear, let him hear what The
Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the
second death.
Rev
2:8-11 NIV
A second epistle [letter] by Jesus Christ was sent
to another of the Asian churches, delivered by the hand of John.
Smyrna was a place well known by the world
merchants, a city of great trade and wealth.
Jesus Christ is “the First and the Last.”
He is the First, for by Him all things were made,
and He was before all things with God and was God Himself.
He is the Last, for all things are made for Him, and
He will be the Judge of all.
This surely is the title of God, from everlasting to
everlasting, and it is the title of One that is the unchangeable Mediator
between God and man, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.
He was dead and is alive. He died for our sins; and
He rose again for our justification, and He ever lives to make intercession for
us.
He was dead, and by dying purchased Salvation for
us; He is alive, and by His Life applies this Salvation to us.
Some who are poor outwardly are inwardly rich, rich
in faith and in good works, rich in hope. Spiritual riches are usually the
reward of great diligence; the diligent hand makes rich.
Where there is ‘spiritual plenty,’ there may be outward
poverty; and when God's people are materially poor for the sake of the Gospel,
He makes all up to them in spiritual riches, which are much more satisfying and
enduring.
The church in Smyrna endured tribulation and poverty—the
persecution they underwent, even to the spoiling of their goods, and their imprisonment.
Those who will be faithful to Christ must expect to go through many
tribulations; but Jesus Christ takes particular notice of all their troubles.
In all their afflictions, He is afflicted, and He will recompense tribulation
to those who trouble them, but those that are troubled for His sake, will rest
with Him.
Church in Smyrna; “church of the martyrs,” bore
great suffering, afflictions, and tribulation for the Gospel.
64-313 A.D.
THE BOOK OF REVELATION Part 7
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Part 7
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ
~ ~ ~
Message
to the Church in Pergamos
The Words of Jesus written to the Church of Pergamos
"To the angel of the church in Pergamum
write:
These are the Words of Him Who has the
sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live — where Satan has his throne.
Yet you remain true to My Name. You did not renounce your faith in Me, even in
the days of Antipas, My faithful witness, who was put to death in your city —
where Satan lives.
Nevertheless, I have a few things against
you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak
to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing
sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the
Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will
fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
He who has an ear, let him hear what The
Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the
hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it,
known only to him who receives it.
Rev
2:12-17 NIV
Jesus here describes Himself as One that has “the
sharp sword with two edges” as John earlier saw Him (ch. 1:16). Out of His
mouth goes ‘a sharp two-edged sword.’
The church of Pergamos was infested with men of
corrupt minds, who did what they could to corrupt both the faith and manners of
the church; and Christ, being resolved to fight against them by the Sword of
His Word, takes the title of ‘Him that hath the sharp sword with two edges”
(ref. KJV).
THE WORD OF GOD is a Sword; it is a weapon both
offensive and defensive, it is, in the hand of GOD, able to slay both sin and
sinners. It is a sharp Sword. No heart is so hard but it is able to cut it; it
can divide asunder between the soul and the spirit, that is, between the soul
and those sinful habits that by custom have become, or seem to be essential to
it.
It is a Sword with two edges; it turns and cuts
every way.
In the time of the Law, there was ‘the edge’ against
the transgressors in each dispensation.
And today, there is ‘the edge’ of the Gospel against
the despisers of the Word of Truth.
There is no escaping the edge of this Sword: if you turn
aside to the right hand, it has an edge on that side; if on the left hand, you
fall upon the edge of the Sword on that side; it turns every way.
Christ takes notice of the trials and difficulties
this church encountered:
“I know thy works, and where thou dwellest…”
(v. 13 KJV)
Now that which added very much lustre to the good
works of this church was the circumstance of the place where this church was
planted, a place where satan's seat was.
This people dwelt where satan's seat was, where he
kept his court. The devil’s circuit is throughout the world, his headquarter is
Babylon; infamous for “the teaching of the Nicolaitans”—wickedness, sin,
idolatry, corruption and sexual immorality.
Christ commends the steadfastness of this church:
“…you remain true to My Name. You did not
renounce your faith in Me”
What made the church of Pergamos hold on to her
‘faith’?
It was “Grace” and “the message of Faith.”
Our ‘faith’ will have a great influence upon our ‘faithfulness.’
Men who deny “the Faith of Christ” may boast very
much of their sincerity and faithfulness to God; but it has been seldom known
that those who let go the true Faith retained their fidelity.
Antipas was a faithful disciple of Christ, he
suffered for The Lord and sealed his faith and testimony for Jesus by his
martyrdom in the place where satan dwelt; and though the rest of the believers
there knew this, and saw it, yet they were not discouraged nor drawn away from
their steadfastness.
At a later time, many of them were drawn to idolatry
and sexual immorality.
Church of Pergamos; “compromising church.” This
church was married to paganism and false doctrines.
314-590 A.D.
THE BOOK OF REVELATION Part 8
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Part 8
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ
~ ~ ~
Message
to the Church in Thyatira
The Words of Jesus written to the Church of Thyatira
"To the angel of the church in
Thyatira write:
These are the Words of The Son Of God, whose
eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know
your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you
are now doing more than you did at first.
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You
tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching
she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food
sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she
is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those
who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I
will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am He Who
searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your
deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her
teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose
any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come.
To him who overcomes and does My Will to
the end, I will give authority over the nations—
'He will rule them with an iron scepter;
He will dash them to pieces like pottery'-
just as I have received Authority from My
Father. I will also give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear
what The Spirit says to the churches.
Rev
2:18-29 NIV
The eternal and only-begotten Son Of God, Who has eyes
like a flame of fire, and feet like as fine brass, has the same nature with The
Father.
The description we have here of Him is in two
characters:—
(1.) That His eyes are like a flame of fire,
signifying His piercing, penetrating, perfect Knowledge, a thorough Insight into
all persons and all things, One Who searches the hearts and tries the reins of
the children of men (v. 23), and will make all the churches to know He does so.
(2.) That His feet are like fine brass; the outgoings
of His providence are steady, awful, and all pure and Holy. As He judges with perfect
Wisdom, so He acts with perfect Strength and Steadfastness.
Christ mentioned the charity of the church of
Thyatira [they had character to do good to all men, as they likewise blessed
the household of faith. He also talked of their service [ministration], their
faith, perseverance, and their growing fruitfulness [their last works were
better than the first]. This is an excellent character; when others had left
their ‘first love.’
Jezebel persecutes the prophets; she is a patroness
of idolaters and false prophets. She seduces the servants of God into
fornication, and adultery, and to offer sacrifices to idols. She and her
seducers called themselves prophets, and so claimed a superior authority and
regard to the ministers of the church.
Church in Thyatira—“church of paid indulgences.”
Luxurious, extravagant and idolatrous.
Planted in the "Dark Ages."
THE BOOK OF REVELATION Part 9
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Part 9
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ
~ ~ ~
Message
to the Church in Sardis
The Words of Jesus written to the Church of Sardis
"To the angel of the church in Sardis
write:
These are the Words of Him Who holds the
Seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a
reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains
and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of
My God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and
repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not
know at what time I will come to you.
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who
have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with Me, dressed in white, for
they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will
never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but will acknowledge his name
before My Father and His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what The
Spirit says to the churches.
Rev
3:1-6 NIV
Though this church had gained a great reputation; a
name, and a very honorable one, a name for vitality and liveliness, for purity
of doctrine, unity, uniformity in worship, decency, and orderliness, yet, hypocrisy,
and a lamentable decay in doctrine was found in her.
With a reproof, and a very severe one, The Lord says
to her: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
This church was not really what it was reputed to
be. They had a name to live, but they were dead; there was a form of Godliness,
but not the Power, a name to live, but not a principle of life.
If there was not a total privation of life, yet
there was a great deadness in their souls and in their services, a great
deadness in the spirits of their ministers, and a great deadness in their
ministrations, in their praying, in their preaching, in their converse, and a
great deadness in the people in hearing, in prayer, and in conversation; what
little life was yet left among them was, in a manner, expiring, ready to die.
Our Lord proceeds to give this degenerate church the
best advice: Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain...v. 2. He
advises them to be upon their watch. They had let down their watch. Whenever we
are off our watch, we lose ground, and therefore must return to our
watchfulness against sin, and against satan, and whatever is distraction to the
life and power of Godliness.
Church of Sardis was “reformation church,” with a
righteous remnant.”
1517-1700 A.D.
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